In denying the project, FERC determined that the proponents failed to prove that the public benefits outweighed the adverse effects on landowners. Approximately 90% of landowners along the proposed 235-mile pipeline route refused to sign agreements with the project proponents and were being threatened with eminent domain.

Quotes from landowners, citizens and organizations:

“Huge credit goes to the people of southern Oregon who stood their ground for ten years to prevail over LNG. For the Oregon LNG proposal on the Columbia River, FERC’s denial sends a clear message: you’re next,” Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper.

“CALNG, based in Coos County, has been working to prevent the Jordan Cove Terminal and the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline for over ten years. Today, FERC agreed that this project has no public benefit. We credit the amazing work and perseverance of Jody McCaffree and many others to reach this point,” Katy Eymann, President of CALNG.

“Landowners have maintained for years that the use of eminent domain is inappropriate for this project. We are so pleased today that FERC agreed with our position,” Bob Barker, affected landowner.

“Today we celebrate the denial of an proposal that would have polluted our waterways, harmed our salmon, exacerbated our climate challenges and trampled on the rights of Oregonians. May this decision start a trajectory for our government to stop fossil fuel projects so that we can focus on developing renewable energy sources,” Lesley Adams, Waterkeeper Alliance.

“We have been living under this threat for a decade. A burden has been lifted from our backs today and it feels great,” Bill Gow, affected landowner.

“Two down, one to go. We need to transition to renewables. Even when you are up against huge amounts of money you can still win,” Jody McCaffree, Citizens Against LNG.

“Everyone can breathe a huge sigh of relief. Oregon landowners in the path of the pipeline won’t have their private property violated. Oregon rivers and streams won’t won’t be trenched for the pipeline. Navigation in Coos Bay won’t be clogged by LNG mega-tankers and their large safety exclusion zones. Federal forests won’t be threatened with landslides, fires, and habitat loss. Oregon wins big today,” Doug Heiken, Conservation and Restoration Coordinator for Oregon Wild.

“We are relieved to see FERC finally come to their senses and deny this outrageous project. This is a huge victory for salmon streams from the Rogue River to Coos Bay,” Forrest English, Rogue Riverkeeper.

“FERC acknowledged what so many have known all along – this project’s limited benefits do not outweigh the negative impacts to landowners and communities. Crag Law Center is thrilled that after so many years of fighting, the waterways and communities of southwest Oregon will be safe from the impacts of this massive energy project,” Courtney Johnson, Crag Law Center.

“In rejecting this ill-conceived project FERC rightfully put the people and environmental health of Oregon before corporate interests,” said Jared Margolis, attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity. “It would have been a disaster for Oregon’s precious waterways and the species that rely on them, and it would have exacerbated climate change at a time when we desperately need to move away from these dangerous fossil fuels,” Jared Margolis, Center for Biological Diversity.

“When I heard the news, I couldn’t believe it at first and then I just started crying as I looked out the window at my beautiful home and realized that we had prevailed . . . David beat Goliath and we were safe,” Stacey McLaughlin, affected landowner.

“Cascadia Wildlands is overjoyed with the FERC decision to deny the applications for the Jordan Cove Export terminal and Pacific Connector pipeline. Our members, volunteers, staff and allies have shown incredible persistence in making the concerns of Oregonians heard throughout this ordeal. Though there is more to be done, Cascadia Wildlands will join those who worked tirelessly on to bring about this result in celebrating this huge victory,” Robin Meacher, Cascadia Wildlands.

What Does FERC’s Order Say?

FERC concluded pipeline backers “presented little or no evidence of the need” for LNG export. The company failed to show FERC any “expressions of interest” from potential buyers of natural gas. FERC Order at 16.

FERC cited significant opposition from landowners as grounds for denial. The Pacific Connector Pipeline would impact 157.3 miles of privately-owned lands, held by approximately 630 landowners. FERC’s order cites landowner opposition as a ground for denial, citing “significant opposition from directly-impacted landowners.” FERC Order at 18.

FERC denied the Jordan Cove LNG Terminal because, without a pipeline, the terminal is futile. FERC’s order states: “We find that without a pipeline connecting it to a source of gas to be liquefied and exported, the proposed Jordan Cove LNG Terminal can provide no benefit to the public to counterbalance any of the impacts which would be associated with its construction.” FERC Order at 19.

Stop LNG in Oregon: Join us to learn what you can do!The battle to stop fracked gas exports through Oregon took a huge step forward last week when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) denied the Jordan Cove LNG terminal in Coos Bay. We need your help to ensure that both Jordan Cove LNG in Coos Bay and Oregon LNG in Warrenton are dead in the water!

In May 2017, Hanford made national news when a tunnel containing highly radioactive waste partially collapsed, triggering a shelter-in-place order for nearby workers and prompting widespread concerns about Hanford’s aging nuclear infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Energy (Energy) filled the tunnel with grout, a form of cement. Now, Energy seeks to fill a second, larger tunnel with grout. if left in place, the pollution in the tunnels—known as the PUREX tunnels—could pose long-term risks to soils, groundwater, and the Columbia River.

PGE wants to increase smog-forming pollution at its Carty Generating Station, a 450 MW fracked gas-fired power plant. The plant began operating in 2016. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) new draft air pollution permit would allow the Carty Generating Station to emit 800% more volatile organic compounds, a key component of low-level ozone (smog) formation. Join Riverkeeper urging DEQ to hold PGE to its current pollution limits, and not to open the door to more pollution from PGE’s new fracked gas power plant. ACT NOW!